Real Madrid emerge as bookmakers’ leading favourite

Madrid is the favourite to finish top of the Champions League league phase, according to William Hill. Real Madrid nevertheless had to overturn a difficult position against Roma: De Roon opened the scoring, Mbappé equalised, and Donyell Malen then scored twice to make it 3-1 in the 57th minute. Roma had been the better side for much of the match before Madrid fought back to win 4-3.

That ability to survive critical moments is feeding the bookmakers’ confidence. After a 2-1 win over Inter at the Bernabéu and the 4-3 victory in Rome, José Mourinho’s team has six points after two rounds. The market regards it as the main contender to finish first, even though its performances have been far from dazzling. Its finishing, experience in high-pressure games and the weakness of the competition underpin that assessment.

The tables, however, show nine clubs on six points after two rounds, including PSG, Barcelona, Aston Villa, Arsenal, Liverpool, Madrid and Betis. Being the favourite does not mean Madrid currently leads the standings. Dramatic finishes have strengthened bettors’ faith, but they are also a reason to read the odds carefully.